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Best MLB Home Run Props Today: Cashing in on the Cardinals Hot Young Star

Published: April 17, 2026, 07:31 PM ET
5 min read

While we aren’t even a full month into the 2026 MLB season, several intriguing storylines have already begun to emerge. One of the biggest involved 23-year-old Jordan Walker, who is breaking out in a big way for the St. Louis Cardinals. We’ll share why we’re backing him to go deep tonight, along with two other home run prop bets we love. 

For more daily MLB coverage, check our selection of the Best NRFI Bets Today.

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Best Home Run Props Picks for Saturday, April 18

Odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook. Join Caesars today and claim your bonus using WSNSPORTS promo code: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings 10x.

Best Home Run Props TodayOddsBet $1, Double Your Winnings 10x at Caesars
Aaron Judge to Hit a Home Run+205CLAIM HERE
Francisco Alvarez to Hit a Home Run+425CLAIM HERE
Jordan Walker to Hit a Home Run+425CLAIM HERE

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Best MLB Home Run Props Today, April 17

Home Run Picks for Saturday, April 18

There are some fantastic home run props out there today, but some stand above the rest. Below are the three players we’re locked in on. 

Aaron Judge to Hit a Home Run (+205) at Caesars Sportsbook

After a slow start, the three-time AL MVP is finally starting to settle in. His average has risen from .125 to .236 in April, and is once again leading the MLB with eight home runs. Five of those home runs this season came at home, where he owns a far more impressive .316 average to start the 2026 campaign.

Judge and the Yankees will be facing a very talented young lefty in Royals’ starter Noah Cameron (1-0, 3.94 ERA, 1.25 WHIP). He was great as a rookie last season and started this season strong, but was rocked by the lowly White Sox in his last. He allowed five runs over 5 ⅓ innings, surrendering two home runs. That shows the 26-year-old still isn’t a finished product, which will be a problem against a loaded Yankee lineup.

Judge faced Cameron three times last season, taking him deep once.

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Francisco Alvarez to Hit a Home Run (+425) at Caesars Sportsbook

The 24-year-old catcher is one of the Mets' most exciting young players, though injuries have limited his impact early in his career. Fortunately, he’s looked very healthy to start this season, opening with a .294 average and four home runs. While he was an offensive liability against the Dodgers earlier this week, we love his chances to turn things around tonight.

A big reason for that is Cubs’ starter Jameson Taillon (0-1, 4.86 ERA, 1.26 WHIP). The veteran righty has been solid throughout his career, but saw injuries take a toll last season. That has carried into 2026, thanks largely to his inability to keep the ball in the park. 

Taillon has allowed five home runs over his last two starts (12 innings) against far less potent lineups than he’ll see tonight (Pirates, Rays). 

Over five career at-bats against Taillon, Alvarez has three hits, one of which was a home run. 

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Jordan Walker to Hit a Home Run (+425) at Caesars Sportsbook

A lot of baseball fans may not know Walker, who was the Cardinals’ top prospect. He has failed to produce at the MLB level over the last few seasons, but the 23-year-old is finally showing the talent St. Louis fans have been yearning for. He’s batting .319 to begin the year with a 1.083 OPS, and is tied with Aaron Judge for the most home runs in the league (8).

We aren’t sold on Walker being able to keep this up all season, but he’s playing like an All-Star in April. Seven of his eight home runs have come since April 4, and he has a .327 for the month. 

Walker and his red-hot bat will face Astros’ starter Lance McCullers Jr. (1-0, 5.87 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) tonight. The righty returned midway through last season after missing the previous two years with injuries. 

Unfortunately, we have yet to see the 32-year-old look like the reliable top-end starter she once was. He looked elite against the Red Sox in his first start of the season, but allowed nine runs over his next two (8 ⅓ innings). 

Once McCullers exits, he’ll turn things over to a Houston bullpen that owns the third-highest ERA in the league (5.85). 

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Michael Savio WSN Contributors

Michael Savio

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Michael is an avid sports fan and a veteran bettor from Milwaukee. He learned the trade from his grandfather in Las Vegas as a kid and has turned that into a successful career. He cheers for all Wisconsin pro teams along with his Alma Mater Arizona State. He specializes in baseball betting, but has experience in football, basketball, and hockey as well. When he isn’t pouring over stats, he’s spending time with his two young children.
Email: michael.savio@wsn.com
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